SARASOTA, Fla. - Reds utiltyman Ryan Freel has decided he'd like to steal 60 bases this year. He had 36 last season, and he figures if he stays healthy he'll have a shot. Freel missed 39 games on two trips to the disabled list this year.

But the factor that might put him over the top, in his opinion, is Billy Hatcher joining the coaching staff.

"I learned more in 15 minutes of talking to him than I have in 13 years of pro ball," Freel said Monday.

Hatcher, who stole 53 bases in 62 attempts for the Houston Astros in 1987, knows of what he speaks. Freel said the new first base coach already has taught him how to pick up more cues from pitchers rather than rely mostly on instincts - particularly when pitchers go to a slide-step delivery in an effort to thwart the running game.

The value of 60 steals will be determined by the number of times caught.

M2

02-28-2006, 03:21 PM

I'd love to see Freel unleashed like that.

westofyou

02-28-2006, 03:24 PM

The value of 60 steals will be determined by the number of times caught.
Or the percent of times you got an extra base after just reaching first.

In ED's case it was 57.5% of the time he got an extra base and 8% of the time he got picked off.

Steve4192

02-28-2006, 03:24 PM

"I learned more in 15 minutes of talking to him than I have in 13 years of pro ball," Freel said Monday.

I suspect that Ryan meant this only as a compliment to Hatcher, but I'll be darned if, at first glance, it didn't appear to be a major slap in the face to Billy's predecessor.

RedsManRick

02-28-2006, 03:28 PM

The way I see it, we know he can steal 5 bags in a game, so he just needs 12 starts and he's golden...

KearnsyEars

02-28-2006, 03:57 PM

Ya ya ya. Preseason steal talk. And I think back to Adam Dunn last offseason. Dunn said he was gonna be aggressive and start taking off more. And he went, what? 4 for 6 all year? The stolen base is a lost art and while I admit the threat is there for Freel, I'd say he's going for about 42 SB, not 60.

KearnsyEars

02-28-2006, 03:58 PM

60 steals is a tall order for a part-time player...

agreed

Eric_Davis

02-28-2006, 04:25 PM

What I hear from Freel is that "a light went on". This team can use as many lights being turned on as possible.

A lot of Freel's success will depend upon whether or not he has someone batting behind him who takes pitches.

BRM

02-28-2006, 04:28 PM

A lot of Freel's success will depend upon whether or not he has someone batting behind him who takes pitches.

And how often he plays.

harangatang

02-28-2006, 05:39 PM

And how often he plays.
And if he can keep out of trouble with the law.

TeamBoone

02-28-2006, 06:49 PM

I suspect that Ryan meant this only as a compliment to Hatcher, but I'll be darned if, at first glance, it didn't appear to be a major slap in the face to Billy's predecessor.

Well, he did say it was more than he learned in 13 years. But then again, maybe the last two felt like thirteen.